BUENA VISTA, Va. - Host Southern Virginia used a fast start to key a 68-54 non-league men's basketball victory over Shenandoah Wednesday evening.

The Knights (5-6) scored 19 of the game's first 23 points to take a lead they would not relinquish over the Hornets (1-6).

The loss is the fourth straight for SU.

A 14-7 Shenandoah run, which started and ended with Avery Green field goals, cut the Hornets deficit to five points with 1:42 to play in the opening 20 minutes.

SVU threatened to run away by stretching out its lead to 12 points, 50-38, with 8:28 remaining, but the Hornets had another run in themselves.

Shenandoah scored 10 of the game's next 12 points in the next 2:49, making it 52-50 with 5:39 remaining.

Unfortunately for the Hornets, Travis Van Noy ended the run with a jumper 25 seconds later and SU would get no closer than six points the rest of the way.

The Knights ended the game on a 16-4 run.

Senior Kevin Kline led the Hornets with 18 points while Mitch Dudley recorded his third double-double of the year with 15 points and 10 boards.

Issac Jacobson had 27 points for the hosts.

SU outrebounded the Knights 30-26.

Shenandoah is off for the next 10 days for final exams and returns to action at home on December 11 with No. 9 Virginia Wesleyan. The Blue Marlins are also the final ODAC opponent SU will play this season.